Comparison on Usefulness of Sampling Methods of Indoles in Airs from Swine Facility by Tenax-TA and SPME

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the sampling methods for monitoring indoles (phenol, p-cresol, indole and skatole) in airs of swine facility. As the collecting methods of indoles in air, Tenax-TA adsorption tube and solid phase microextraction (SPME) were examined. For the preparation of calibration curves of indoles concentrated in Tenax-TA, the standard indoles solutions were spiked in each of Tenax-TA tubes and thermally desorbed (ATD) into a gas chromatograph combined with mass detector (GC/MS). And for the preparation of calibration curves by SPME, indoles in the standard gaseous solution prepared by evaporating the aqueous solution that contained indoles into a polyester sampling bag were extracted with SPME fiber and subsequently analyzed by the GC/MS. Two sampling methods were evaluated for extracting indoles present in swine building environments. Results indicated that the SPME method using Polydimethylsiloxane/ Divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber was more effective than Tenax-TA method in extracting indoles. The gas chromatographic analysis showed that the linearities of calibration curves and detection limits were useful for detection of indoles in swine airs. The field tests also showed that considerably different levels of indoles were present in various parts of the swine building.